In a ruling on Tuesday, a Kent County Circuit Court judge confirmed the removal of Kristina Karamo as the Michigan Republican Party’s Chairwoman on January 6th, asserting that the decision complied with the party’s bylaws. As a result, he issued a preliminary injunction against her.
The judge, J. Joseph Rossi, deemed the votes in a special meeting of the state committee sufficient to unseat Karamo, rendering any actions she took on behalf of the Michigan Republican state committee since that date as invalid.
Rossi added about the Jan. 6th vote to oust Karamo, “It is a decision made by a minority of members, but it is a decision that is permitted by those bylaws and procedural rules that govern the meetings and the conduct of business within the party.”
As a result of the ruling, former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra is now recognized as the lawful chairman of the Michigan Republican Party as Judge Rossi’s order explicitly prohibits Karamo from representing herself as the Chairwoman of the party.
The order states that Karamo is prohibited from holding herself out as the Chair of the Michigan Republican State Committee (in person, to the media or social media); calling any meeting of the Michigan Republican State Committee (MRSC); conducting or attempting to conduct any business in the name of the MRSC or the Michigan Republican Party; accessing any postal boxes held in the name of the MRSC or the Michigan Republican Party; accessing any bank accounts held in the name of the MRSC or the Michigan Republican Party; filing or causing to be filed any report or any other documentation required by state or federal campaign finance or election law; and engaging in any communication, including on social media, that purports to be issued on behalf of the MRSC or the Michigan Republican Party.
The order issued was effective immediately and retroactive to any actions after January 6th.
Karamo, who was present in the courtroom during the decision, expressed her dissatisfaction, characterizing the ruling as “grossly unfair.”
Hoekstra released the following statement after the court decision, “The MIGOP State Committee, the RNC, President Trump and now a court of law have all reviewed the January 6th meeting and there is unanimous agreement that the former Chair was properly removed, and I was elected as the new Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. It is time to unite and move forward with the business delivering the state of Michigan for our Party’s presumptive nominee, Donald J. Trump.”
The court decision, along with the recognition of Hoekstra as the MIGOP Chair by the Republican National Committee (RNC) means that Hoekstra’s March 2nd convention is now the officially recognized one and where precinct delegates should gather to caucus this weekend.
It’s unclear if there will be an appeal. Additionally, there is still a trial in the case set for June 10th.
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